Planar polarity and plasticity

Neurocentre Magendie

Voir la version en français

Planar Cell Polarity (PCP) genes strongly affect neurulation, leading to a complete failure of neural tube closure and craniorachischisis, the most severe form of neural tube defects. This neurodevelopmental pathology is associated with massive structural disruption of the entire central nervous system and deficits in sensory systems, and is incompatible with life, preventing the study of potential roles of core PCP genes later in life. In our group, we want to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms controlled by PCP signaling as well as the structural and functional consequences of their early (during embryonic development) or late (in adult) deletion, in correlation with specific subregions of the brain and in specific sensory organs (inner ear).
For this, we use classical molecular and cellular biology approaches and various types of imaging (from confocal, to light sheet microscopy to super-resolution, and live imaging), but also a variety of conditional mouse models (Cre-Lox), stereotaxic injections of viruses combined with complex behavioral protocols, electrophysiology, anatomical and immunohistological approaches.

Selected publications

Team leader
Nathalie Sans
INSERM



Team member(s)


Chercheurs, Praticiens hospitaliers...

Jérôme Ezan (Researcher)


Ingénieur(e)s, technicien(ne)s

Maïté Moreau
Nathalie Aubailly
Sonia Poirault-Chassac
Charlotte Isch
Lili Cluzel-Burgalat
Amandine Martin


Post-doctorant(s)

Marie Gleizes


Doctorant(s)


Neuropsychologist(s) and speech therapist(s)


Ingénieur(s) hospitalier(s) et ARC